Re: raw food recipes wanted
When dehydrating, the moisture is removed form the food and if kept below a certain degree, the food is still considered raw and uncooked. The "Excalibur" is one of the only ones with a temperature control and is the one raw foodists swear by.
Re: raw food recipes wanted
Quote:
ConsciousCuisine
When dehydrating, the moisture is removed form the food and if kept below a certain degree, the food is still considered raw and uncooked. The "Excalibur" is one of the only ones with a temperature control and is the one raw foodists swear by.
Does that mean the food tastes cooked even though it isn't? Sorry to sound ignorant by the raw food business is new to me:)
Re: raw food recipes wanted
It does taste rather cooked. There are cookies, crackers, candies, "burgers", "meat balls" and all sorts of things to be made this way!
Re: raw food recipes wanted
Hemlock, a dehydrator is a device that heats food to a maximum of 118-120 degrees fahrenheit (food heated above 118 degrees destroys enzymes - and raw foodists believe these enzymes should come from the food we eat rather than be manufactured by our bodies, for maximum health). The food is heated by forced air and it takes hours (anywhere from 1 to 24, depending on the recipe) to dehydrate. There are the very common, relatively inexpensive dehydrators and there are the more expensive ones that have several racks and are favored by raw food chefs/restaurants.
Using a dehydrator allows you to enjoy raw food with different textures since much of the water is removed. Using a dehydrator, you can make raw crackers, bread, cookies, burgers, pizzas - and the list goes on.
When we move this summer, I am getting the dehydrator of my dreams (my husband won't let me buy anything else that needs to be moved, so I have to wait.:( ) Our raw food meals don't consist of anything dehydrated these days so I am really looking forward to the move.
Re: raw food recipes wanted
Wow, you two type fast. I started typing the above message just after Hemlock asked what a dehydrator was. The Excalibur is the dehydrator I am looking to purchase! My husband gets excited by cars - for me, it's kitchen equipment.
Re: raw food recipes wanted
Hmmmmmm, you have opened up a new word for me. I may try a spot of raw foodism but I think my husband might well move out:D Mind you he is busy preparing sprout curry (cooked) - our favourite - as we speak:)
Re: raw food recipes wanted
Quote:
DianeVegan
Wow, you two type fast. I started typing the above message just after Hemlock asked what a dehydrator was. The Excalibur is the dehydrator I am looking to purchase! My husband gets excited by cars - for me, it's kitchen equipment.
I relate! I have the 9 tray and it's the way to go, for sure! I wouldn't use anyother dehydrator! I use it in the Summer a lot more than the Winter as I go for longer periods of time completely raw during the Summer.
Re: raw food recipes wanted
That's our plan, CC. Totally raw for the summers (lots of farmers markets in Portland!) and less so in the winter. Do you have a juicer as well? I will probably get one and am so confused about which is the best (I don't think I'll be juicing wheat grass). I figure the 9 tray is the best size for the dehydrator. I have about 3 raw cookbooks and can't wait to make some of the recipes. I really wasn't into raw food until recently when we went to Pure Food and Wine in NY - we're going back for dinner next week! I'll probably miss that restaurant most when we move.
Re: raw food recipes wanted
I have had a Champion, a L'Equip and various cheapie juicers in the past. I now use a Breville Juice Fountain Pro (stainless steel) and I LOVE it. It does not jucie wheatgrass but with everything else it's great. I mainly juice beets, carrots, celery, ginger, lemons and greens and it's great! I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond because I love thier return policy and I had a coupon :)
Re: raw food recipes wanted
Thanks for the info! I'll just wait for one of those 20% off coupons to come in the mail.
Dehydrator - Tips and Recipes Needed
Hi everyone!
I am the lucky recipient of an almost-new Waring dehydrator from my mom. Unfortunately, it came with no book or guide.
It's black and round with five trays, no thermostat or on/off switch. I'm kind of freaked that the teriyaki-marinated, blotted-dry tofu I currently have in there is going to drip juice all over the base and heating element, but so far, so good. The bananas I tried last night turned out awesome, kind of nutty and yummy. I'm going to love this thing if I can figure it out.
I am wondering if there are any dehydrator pros out there who would be willing to share their favorite recipes or tips with me - particularly about cleanliness and fire avoidance - I'm not brave like Mr. Flibble. ;) I also would like some tips about making travel food - and I have no idea how I would dehydrate soup/stew with my current setup, it seems like the sauces would run right off into the base.
I did search for "dehydrator" threads here, but I didn't find anything substantial. Please direct me where to go if you know and I'll start there!
Thanks!
Re: Dehydrator - Tips and Recipes Needed
you know, i have a food dehydrator that is very very similar to how you described yours. Mine has three trays i believe, and it's a dark grey or black plastic.. with little vents on the top lid. There is some sort of coil at the bottom but no on or off switch! I made some dried bananas that turned out alright, but i tried cantalope and it didn't work.
Have you tried anything else in it?
Re: Dehydrator - Tips and Recipes Needed
Call Waring and ask them to send you an owner's manual. I'm sure they have a toll free phone number and they probably won't charge you anything for a new manual. (I've called companies for manuals before.)
Re: Dehydrator - Tips and Recipes Needed
oooo! Hey thanks for the great idea!